'Tis Pity She's a WhoreLegit ReviewsThe most baffling thing about this defiant "'Tis Pity She's a Whore" is that it's a Cheek by Jowl production directed by Declan Donnellan: He and his company have spent 30 years bringing lucidity and insight to productions of classics.David Benedict2/22/2012 6:45pm PT
WanderlustFilm ReviewsThe Judd Apatow school of R-rated comedy, perhaps unavoidably, has begun to produce some "C" students. Brian Lowry2/22/2012 10:00am PT
In the Shadow of a ManFilm ReviewsFour Egyptian women from diverse backgrounds and generations talk about their lives and how they were shaped by their gender, in slender, low-budget docu "In the Shadow of a Man," from debuting English-Egyptian helmer Hanan Abdalla.Alissa Simon2/21/2012 7:37pm PT
Oma & BellaFilm ReviewsFor everyone who had a Jewish grandmother, or wanted one, there's "Oma & Bella" to help them remember.Jay Weissberg2/21/2012 7:36pm PT
The Oscar-Nominated Short Films 2012: DocumentaryFilm ReviewsOscar's doc short noms seem to be redefining the category as one that measures "best cause," selected less for the strength of execution than perceived legitimacy of the issue at hand.Peter Debruge2/21/2012 6:45pm PT
The Oscar-Nominated Short Films 2012: AnimationFilm ReviewsWhile devoid of instant classics, Oscar's toon shorts noms were clearly selected for concept and originality, making for a delightful survey when viewed together.Peter Debruge2/21/2012 6:45pm PT
The Oscar-Nominated Short Films 2012: Live ActionFilm ReviewsAll five finalists leave auds wanting more, illustrating that not all stories require 90 or more minutes in order to convey an inspired idea. Peter Debruge2/21/2012 6:45pm PT
Shatner's World: We Just Live in ItLegit ReviewsThe main demographic to turn out for William Shatner's 19-perf Broadway run in "Shatner's World: We Just Live in It" would seem to be Trekkies: Here's Captain Kirk, live and in person, and any mention of "Star Trek" or one of its familiar sound effects brings cheers from the faithful. Steven Suskin2/21/2012 6:42pm PT
Reporting … A RevolutionFilm ReviewsThe January-February Egyptian Revolution is seen through the eyes of journalists in Bassam Mortada's absorbing "Reporting … A Revolution."Jay Weissberg2/21/2012 6:23pm PT
Sons of the Clouds: The Last ColonyFilm ReviewsJavier Bardem's name will do much to raise the profile of "Sons of the Clouds: The Last Colony," a slick docu on the Western Sahara crisis geared to capture the attention of Western auds.Jay Weissberg2/21/2012 6:17pm PT
BlissFilm ReviewsAn alienated punk and a war-refugee hooker prove that their feelings for one another go above and beyond societal constraints in "Bliss."Alissa Simon2/21/2012 6:16pm PT
Deep in the HeartFilm ReviewsObviously sincere but unremarkably bland, "Deep in the Heart" provides only a modest amount of uplift while recounting the true-life story of Richard Wallrath, a Texas businessman and philanthropist who managed to quit drinking and turn his life around only after losing his job and family, and plumbing the lower depths of rock bottom.Joe Leydon2/21/2012 3:34pm PT
Beyond the HillFilm ReviewsAn eye-catching parable about scapegoating and the multitude of sins it covers, "Beyond the Hill," from debuting Turkish helmer-writer Emin Alper, is a deliberately paced drama set amid the scenic hills of central Anatolia. Appealing more to the intellect than the emotions, the low-budgeter is most interesting for the way it uses the stunning landscape, at times adopting Western iconography. The powerful visuals as well as a special mention garnered in Berlin's first feature competition, should pique fest programmer interest.Alissa Simon2/21/2012 1:43pm PT
The SummitFilm ReviewsA wealth of interviews and archival footage are brought together in "The Summit," Franco Fracassi and Massimo Lauria's thoroughly researched investigation into the 2001 Genoa G8 demonstration debacle. Jay Weissberg2/20/2012 11:03pm PT
KauwboyFilm ReviewsThat it sometimes takes one death to accept another is the message of "Kauwboy," an unpretentious kidpic that balances sweet and sour in just the right doses. Jay Weissberg2/20/2012 11:02pm PT
XinguFilm ReviewsHandsome, fact-based historical drama "Xingu" from helmer Cao Hamburger ("The Year My Parents Went on Vacation") is a stirring, broad-strokes account of the founding of Brazil's Xingu National Park, a milestone in the recognition of rights for indigenous people, and of the legendary Villas-Boas brothers who made the creation of the park their mission. Alissa Simon2/20/2012 11:01pm PT
Comes a Bright DayFilm ReviewsA working-class London lad with big dreams romances an out-of-his-league blonde against the backdrop of a bloody jewelry store heist that escalates into a hostage situation in British indie "Comes a Bright Day."Alissa Simon2/20/2012 11:00pm PT
Anton Corbijn: Inside OutFilm ReviewsDutch music-biz shutterbug and occasional helmer Anton Corbijn ("Control," "The American") is asked to lay down on the cinematic equivalent of a shrink's couch in Low-Countries docu "Anton Corbijn: Inside Out." Boyd van Hoeij2/20/2012 10:59pm PT
Ulrike Ottinger -- Nomad From the LakeFilm ReviewsFortunately there's enough material within Ulrike Ottinger's continuing body of work for 10 docus, since Brigitte Kramer's "Ulrike Ottinger -- Nomad from the Lake" only skims the surface of the cult helmer's experiences and output. Jay Weissberg2/20/2012 8:03pm PT
HorsesFilm ReviewsA tribute to the kind of quality filmmaking that could have come out of a 19th century novel, Michele Rho's handsome if literal-minded saga "Horses" depicts the travails of two farm-raised brothers spanning the decades. Robert Koehler2/20/2012 7:59pm PT